Upgrade Guide
Leica Q→Leica Q3 43
Is it worth upgrading? Spec analysis, key improvements, and our verdict.
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Worthwhile
Clear improvements over the Q. Whether it justifies the cost depends on which upgrades matter most to your shooting.
What's new in the Q3 43
-
Resolution60MP vs 24MP (+36MP)
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Weather sealingAdded — fully sealed body
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StabilisationIBIS added — significant for handheld and video
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Burst rate15fps electronic vs 10fps
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Battery life~350 shots (CIPA) vs ~270 shots (CIPA)
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Generation9 years newer (2024 vs 2015)
Suitability by genre
Base scores — computed from verified specs for an enthusiast shooting photo and video. The Upgrade Checker adjusts them for your skill level.
| Genre | Q | Q3 43 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Portrait | +3.2 | ||
| Street | +0.5 | ||
| Travel | +1.3 | ||
| Wedding & Events | +2.6 | ||
| Documentary | +3.4 | ||
| Landscape | +2.0 | ||
| Casual | +1.3 | ||
| Food | +2.9 | ||
| Macro | +2.3 | ||
| Architecture | +2.0 | ||
| Astrophotography | -0.1 | ||
| Filmmaking | — |
Full spec comparison
| Spec | Q | Q3 43 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | £1,266 used | £5,890 | |
| Released | 2015 | 2024 | ↑ |
| Sensor | 24.2MP Full-Frame CMOS | 60MP full-frame BSI CMOS | |
| Resolution | 24MP | 60MP | ↑ |
| Video | 1080p/60p | 8K/30p, 4K/60p 10-bit — L-Log | |
| Autofocus | Contrast-detect AF, 49 AF fields, face detection | Phase-detect AF with face and eye detection | |
| Stabilisation | No stabilisation | Optical stabilisation in the lens (no IBIS) | |
| Burst Rate | 10fps | 15fps electronic | ↑ |
| Battery Life | ~270 shots (CIPA) | ~350 shots (CIPA) | ↑ |
| Weight | 640g (with battery and card) | 743g (body only) | ↓ |
| Weather Sealed | Not weather sealed | Yes | ↑ |
| Viewfinder | EVF, 3.68M dots, 0.68× magnification | EVF 0.79× 5.76M-dot OLED | |
| Screen | 3.0" fixed touchscreen, 1.04M dots | 3.0" tilting touchscreen, 1.84M dots | |
| Mount | Fixed Leica Summilux 28mm f/1.7 ASPH | Fixed Summicron-M 43mm f/2 ASPH (43mm — closest to human field of view) | |
| Memory Cards | Single SD UHS-I slot | Single UHS-II SD slot |
Compare side-by-side
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Tell us what you shoot and we'll score the Q3 43 against your specific genres — not just specs.
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Camera family history